Windrock Trail Descriptions?

[woytovich]

Looks like a couple of us from GCLC will be at GSMTR this year (last time I made it ws 2005 at Tellico).

I would love to get some descriptions of the trails at Windrock other than Green/Blue/Black. I'd like to know which trails are considered, for example, rock crawling, muddy, off camber, deeply rutted/narrow... I KNOW all of the trails will likely exhibit all of these traits in one spot or the other. I'm looking for trails that have a "reputation".

Mark
(I like rocks)

 

[jason in tn]

If you are looking for rocks there are plenty. Trail 15 among others. Just do a YouTube search for wind rock and you should get a good feel.


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Host Toyota Trucks and Trails podcast

 

[woytovich]

I did look at YouTube but most of what I found are little bits of each trail... I'm hoping for info like you mentioned for Trail 15

 

[TeddyBoy]

Pretty much anything you want to know about Windrock is found here: Windrock - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Some of my favorites in no particular order are: Stair Steps, Rail Trail, lil' Mule, Walden's Ridge, Cadillac Hill, Trail 12, Trail 13, just to get started. We started into Rattle Rock last year but it gets really big the deeper in you go so decided to hold off and then never got back to it. This year it's on the list but it's an all day affair and will be planned near the end of the week for obvious reasons.

Atomic Ridge used to be on the "To Do" list but it sucks, mainly a high horse power / buggy trail. Once read that if somebody on 35s were to hit AR they'd better take a sleeping bag. It's true, ask me how I know.

Windrock has tons to offer for the 80s (wagons on 33-35s) crowd but the pickings start getting a little slimmer if you're into the hard core stuff. This guy has videoed pretty much all of the harder trails to include Trail 15 (Lil mule) and watching is well worth the time. Obviously the trails get harder over time and his vids are now a little dated, Lil Mule is a good example of it.

Tony Bolton - youtube videos

 

[jynx]

@TeddyBoy and @4xsteve generally plan good runs on the hard stuff. I enjoyed following them around one day last year. I'm sure they would be happy to share some of their thoughts on trail suggestions that will suit your preference.

Looks like I was a little slow on the trigger.

 

[woytovich]

Trail 45... Nuts?


Trail 15 videos show the first part - cool rocks, and then a deeply rutted part - a door crusher for a wagon... is there more to 15?

 

[jynx]

If you really want nuts Google waldens ridge... They've run it several times, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart.

@TeddyBoy is 45 the one that Josh blew a bead on last year?

 

[woytovich]

Not really a tough trail other than the drop offs on both sides!!!!!

 

[4xsteve]

Trail 45... Nuts?

That video is of Stair Steps that Ted mentioned. It is only 100yds long but has three large ledges to the right or lots of loose and sharp, but smaller, ledges to the left. It is not extremely difficult, depending on your wheelbase and ground conditions, but it takes some cahones to bump over some of it sometimes. Even if you're fully caged, the price for failure in some spots could be total loss.

Trail 15 videos show the first part - cool rocks, and then a deeply rutted part - a door crusher for a wagon... is there more to 15?

15 is also not very long, but has lots of different challenges. It gets significantly worse every year, primarily because it is the very first trail you come to when heading into the park. If it's dry, a mildly built 80 with a good driver and spotter might be able to make it without damage. If you're not worried about scratches and dent or breaking mirrors, you'll love 15 and will likely want to hit it several times to try the different lines.

@jynx: Yes, 45 (Stair Steps) is where Josh blew the bead and we had the creative winch fest to get him out safely.

@woytovich: You said you like rocks, but if we could see your rig we could better assess where to steer you.

 

[4xsteve]

Not really a tough trail other than the drop offs on both sides!!!!!

For the most part, that is true. But there are a few nasty obstacles and a few side obstacles that will challenge a vehicle's ability and the driver's knowledge of the rig's footprint - the optional entrance, for one. It is also a very scenic trail too though. It's probably my favorite trail because it contains a little of everything - Technical crawling, skilled bumps, off camber turns, sketchy dropoffs, ledges that require absolute confidence in your spotter, fantastic views and almost never any trail traffic. Just a wonderful trail for spending the day with a group of close wheeling buddies.

The catch is that it is not close to camp and requires a good 30-45 minute road trip to get there.

 

[woytovich]

My 60. 36" Swampers, 4.56 diffs w/ARBs, Marlin ToyBox, 2F, H55f/split case... it's not getting the truck through (most of) the trails, it is not wanting to cave in the sheet metal...

 

[jonheld]

We ran with Cam and his group at The Cove for the BBRC Fall Crawl. Got the mall wagons through Pennsyltukian and Insanity. It took some time to get the fat trucks through but we had a blast.
If there are similar trails, I think we'll have a great time.

 

[4xsteve]

You'd have a blast on Walden's Ridge I think (Tr75). You'll be okay on 15 if it's dry and you are real careful on the middle section which is just a bunch of rutted moguls basically. Can flop you if you're not careful. If it's wet you may not even make it into 15 past the first ledge... at least not without passenger side damage. Your rig might make Stair Steps if you're supremely confident, but I wouldn't recommend it. Once you see it you'll probably talk yourself out of it anyway. Have no fear though, your rig is probably the perfect rig to get the most out of Windrock. Not so big you have to just hit hardcore stuff but not so small you have to stay on the bunny slopes. Plus it appears you're still quite streetable, which can be a big plus for exploring the outer reaches of the park.

Final thought for now: Stay off of trail 12 if you like your sheet metal.

 

[woytovich]

All excellent info... I hope to see you down there. Be sure to mention this thread if you see me.

 

[LDowney]

Mark / Jon,
Looking forward to seeing you at G'smiter again. I has been a long dry spell since '05. Who else is potentially coming with you? Your trucks are very capable big dawgs. If any of the trucks are more stock level, there will are a lot of choices for them too. Depending on the weather in May and how much rain & traffic the green/blues say over the winter, the trails can take on very different character.
For example, last year it was dry and I did not encounter any green/blue trail that could stop the BJ. However, year before last was much wetter so I covered less ground for near continual challenge.

See you in May

 

[jonheld]

Hey Larry. Yea, last time was Tellico in 05. Our house is the "Geriatric 4". Mark, Mike, Rich, and myself. Martin is coming up and staying at the campground and there are at least another 2 GCLC guys coming down. Should be a good time with good food.
I've heard a lot of good things about Windrock from Cam and some of the other VA guys that have been there, and I'm really looking forward to a new area. We'll be there all week so we'll have time to really explore the park. It doesn't have to be hard core all the time for me.

 

[jynx]

@jonheld looking forward to meeting you and shaking your hand. I've used your 3fe references a lot and it'll be nice to say thanks in person.

 

[LDowney]

Hey Larry. Yea, last time was Tellico in 05. Our house is the "Geriatric 4". Mark, Mike, Rich, and myself. Martin is coming up and staying at the campground and there are at least another 2 GCLC guys coming down. Should be a good time with good food.
I've heard a lot of good things about Windrock from Cam and some of the other VA guys that have been there, and I'm really looking forward to a new area. We'll be there all week so we'll have time to really explore the park. It doesn't have to be hard core all the time for me.

Jon, My plan is to stay the week. With such a late date in May, Melissa will be done with finals and joining me. The wild card in our plans is my oldest, Katie. She graduates from med school on the 13th and will be packing up her family to move to where she selects for residency. This could put constraints on me to help with packing or it could mean that we will also have my grandson Adam for the week so they can focus on packing.

Regardless about my side adventures, it has the makings for a great reunion. Shawn was planning on coming up this year too. It will be a blast.

 

[woytovich]

Larry, where are you staying?

 

[Elbert]

good place to ride for parks.....many choices